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Zhang et al. Soft Sci 2024;4:23 Soft Science
DOI: 10.20517/ss.2023.58

Review Article Open Access

Liquid metal neuro-electrical interface

5
5
1
3,#
4
Xilong Zhang 1,2,# , Chang Liu , Rongyu Tang , Weichen Feng , Jingru Gao , Bingjie Wu ,
1,2
Zhongshan Deng , Jing Liu 1,2,5,* , Lei Li 1,2,*
1
Key Laboratory of Cryogenic Science and Technology, Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of
Sciences, Beijing 100190, China.
2
School of Future Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.
3
Department of Hand Surgery, Beijing Jishuitan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100035, China.
4
State Key Laboratory on Integrated Optoelectronics, Institute of Semiconductors, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing
100083, China.
5
School of Biomedical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China.
#
Authors contributed equally.
* Correspondence to: Prof. Jing Liu, Prof. Lei Li, Key Laboratory of Cryogenic Science and Technology, Technical Institute of
Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 29, Zhongguancun East Road, Beijing 100190, China. E-mail:
jliu@mail.ipc.ac.cn; lileilei@mail.ipc.ac.cn
How to cite this article: Zhang X, Liu C, Tang R, Feng W, Gao J, Wu B, Deng Z, Liu J, Li L. Liquid metal neuro-electrical interface.
Soft Sci 2024;4:23. https://dx.doi.org/10.20517/ss.2023.58
Received: 31 Dec 2023 First Decision: 27 Mar 2024 Revised: 22 May 2024 Accepted: 30 May 2024 Published: 11 Jun 2024
Academic Editor: YongAn Huang Copy Editor: Pei-Yun Wang Production Editor: Pei-Yun Wang

Abstract
Liquid metal (LM), an emerging functional material, plays increasing roles in biomedical and healthcare areas. It
has particular values in neural interfaces as it combines high conductivity, flowability, and biocompatibility
properties. Neuro-electrical interfaces (NEIs) are effective tools to provide a bridge between the nervous system
and the outside world. The main target of developing neural interfaces is to help disabled people repair damaged
nerves and enhance human capacity above normal ability. This article systematically summarizes LM-based neural
interface technologies, including neural electrodes for electrical signal acquisition and administration of electrical
stimulation and nerve guidance conduits for neural connectivity and functional reconstruction. The discussion
begins with an overview of the fundamental properties associated with LM materials involved in the field of neural
interface applications. The fabrication methods of LM-based neuro-electrodes and conduits are then introduced,
and the current development status of LM-based neuro-electrodes and conduits is elaborated. Finally, the
prospects and possible challenges of LM-based neural interfaces are outlined.

Keywords: Liquid metal, neural interface, neural electrode, neural guidance conduit

© The Author(s) 2024. Open Access This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0
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